Reading gear up for Championship opener

READING get their Championship campaign under way with a tricky trip to Wigan Athletic on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

The two clubs were relegated from the Premier League together last year and both will be looking to return to the top flight at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.

Reading fans will be desperate to see an end to the long-running saga of the club’s ownership before the season gets started. Things are looking positive on that front, with the major players in a Thai consortium bidding to buy Reading due to arrive in the country to finalise the deal in the coming hours.

As a result, the Royals look set to end their year-long self-imposed transfer embargo. Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray, defender Anton Ferdinand, who has been playing in Thailand, and Nottingham Forest front men Jamie Mackie and Simon Cox have all been linked with moves to the Madejski Stadium.

After they face Wigan, Reading are in League Cup action on Tuesday, playing host to League Two side Newport County in the first round of the competition.